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Latino directors should not have to tell stories about people from their own community or country of origin exclusively, but given the scarcity of films that feature prominent Latino characters, the opportunity to do so feels like a missed one.

After reading just a handful of Twitter comments aimed at Arquette and pages directed toward E! and Rancic, clearly there is still an obvious need and immense desire for a platform of open dialog and feminist critique of our culture.

Whether or not you subscribe to the essentially Romantic belief that greatness comes from suffering, Whiplash is a compelling teacher/student story and an intense study of the discipline and training that it takes to become a top-ranked musician.

Locks are an unapologetically black hairstyle, from their origins to the growing process. And while natural black hair has been put down for hundreds of years in the United States, Zendaya Coleman was showcasing pride.

This week demonstrated the power of shared experiences and having some collective fun -- i.e. virality. It began with social media all atwitter over Patricia Arquette's Oscar speech -- and backstage comments. Next up, the Internet was riveted by The Great Llama Chase -- as the camelids, part of a therapy visit (Emotional Support Llamas?), made a break for it during a bathroom break. Later that same day, the most viral #dress in history had everyone debating: white and gold, or blue and black? If you saw polka dots you should probably see a doctor. The episode culminated with a national teach-in about color and optics. The week ended on a sad note, with the passing of Leonard Nimoy, never wiser than in his Spock-worthy final tweet: "A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP." He lived long, and we all prospered from it.

Just like Seinfeld's comedic line, "Not that there's anything wrong with that," when referring to homosexual behavior, "Is it racist," has become the new tagline to uncomfortable words ushered between people.

Even on the most triumphant Oscar night ever for someone of Hispanic heritage, Penn's joke reinforced Latinos' perception--borne out of history and experience--that Hollywood believes our community does not belong at the Academy Awards.

Modern masculinity is measured not by a stoicism that makes us resemble an inanimate object (a rock, a pillar) but by a capacity for feeling, a capacity to be moved -- even moved to tears. It may once have been true that, as the Cure sang, "Boys don't cry." But not anymore. Today, real men cry.

At the very least, you can make a movie next year about white women and gender inequality and have the Oscars rally around you. It is never the same for gay people and people of color, as evidenced by the lack of color in this year's Oscar movies.

Hollywood awarded its greatest honors Feb. 22, doling out prizes for excellence in movies at the 87th Academy Awards. It was also a big night for Illinois -- at least three of the award winners come from the Prairie State.